A commentary on the prophecy of Hosea by Edward Pococke.

v. 10. Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them,

and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the Kings of Princes.

Very different are the rendrings and ex∣positions which are by Interpreters given of this verse. To take the words in order, the first are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gam ci yithnu baggoim, by ours rendred, yea though they have hired among the nations. The two first Particles, Gam ci, are rendred by ours, yea though, and alike by others, etiam si, although, which that they so joyned signifie elsewhere also, w 1.1 there is no doubt, as below c. 9.16. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gam ci yeledun, yea though they bring forth; and Is. 1.15. where ours render it, yea when, which is all one with, yea though, and might as well be so there read as here, and is in the Geneva English, and though; and with this is well agreeing here in the Vulgar Latin, sed & cum, and there, & cum, yea and when. It may be also well rendred, also because, and is so by x 1.2 some rendred. These two rendrings agree in this, that they shew a necessary con∣sequence of what is after said shall follow on what is here said they did; though the first make the necessity of the consequence of it from the invalidity and unprofitableness of what they did for prevention sake; though they hoped by doing what they did to prevent it, it shall be in vain; for though they do this, hoping thereby to secure them∣selves, yet, now will I gather them &c. the second, from its being as a necessary conse∣quent, or effect and issue of what they do, viz. because they do thus (hire among the nations,) therefore now will I gather them, &c. y 1.3 Others render them, Etiam quasi, yea they have as it were hired &c. so making it as a farther ag∣gravation of the sin in the foregoing words objected to them, by specifying those lovers from whom they hired loves, viz. that they were the nations or heathen people. It was a great sin to distrust God, and forsaking him to seek help from any other, but greater yet to seek it from the heathen nations. But I do not conceive this to be so proper a mean∣ing or rendring, as either of the former. If it be followed, I should rather like this meaning of it, which z 1.4 one suggests in his Paraphrase of the words, They have as it were hired the nations against themselves.

The next word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 yithnu, being the Fu∣ture tense of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hithnu, which imme∣diately before precedes, is by ours as by most others rendred in the same signification of hiring, viz. that they might come and help them, but it is by some otherwise rendred. We before said that it sometimes signifies, to recite, publish, or declare; and by that notion would a 1.5 R. Tanchum have it here expressed, though otherwise in the preceding words. His words for explication of it are, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They shall re∣port what condition they had been in, and what afterwards had befallen them; word for word, Narrabunt in quo fuerunt, & quid deinde fuerit ipsis; except his meaning should be,

Though they brag of what they found among the nati∣ons, and how it was there with them;

for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is also there. His words seem not clear, but I suppose his meaning is, That though or when they running abroad to the nations should report among them what they had formerly been in their prosperity, and what case they were now in, seeking thereby to move them to help them, this should not profit or secure them, but he would do to∣ward them what in the following words he saith he will do. He saith that others make the meaning to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, viz. passively, though they be talked of, i. e. be a talk, (except we should render it, they, i. e. men, shall talk of them,) though they be the subject of talk among the nations, where they have dispersed them∣selves for making known their condition, seek∣ing help: this is yet less clear.

The LXX likewise give here a different signification to the word, from what they gave in the former v. even that of being de∣livered up, which the Chaldee there gave to it, rendring, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, therefore shall they be delivered up among the nations. So the printed Arabic, following them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, For this shall they be delivered to the nations: The Syriac also as to the signification of the Verb, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Though they shall be delivered up among the nations; as to the signification of the Verb, I say, but there is difference between them as to the rendring of the Particles, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gam ci, the one ren∣dring, therefore, the other, although, which makes a great difference in the sense: there∣fore, making it a description of what should

befall them as a punishment for what they had been before said to do; the other giving to expect what might be contrary to their ex∣pectation in the condition they were, or should be in, though &c. yet now will I &c. b 1.6 Some think the Greek therefore to have read here in the Hebrew, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not for Yith∣nu, but for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yuttenu, in a Passive from, from the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Nathun, in the Conju∣gation Hophal, which elsewere occurs. Whe∣ther they might so do, or what signification or use they thought the Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Thanah, from which Yithnu (as now read) is, to have, which moved them to render it Passively, as some c 1.7 Verbs of Active form are sometimes used, I shall not now enquire; let it suffice to have set down what they give.

The MS. Arabic here retains the same sig∣nification which it gave to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hithnu, in the preceding v. but paraphrastically renders it, inserting words, thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Also when they shall turn again their love to Egypt, and shall be among the companies, or nations, now will I gather them &c. taking it seems, as their going to Assur was mentio∣ned in the foregoing v. so here to be meant their going to Egypt to seek help, and set∣ting their affections on them. The Chaldee paraphraseth it, If Israel would set my fear in their hearts, &c. he seems to take 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yith∣nu for, to give, or put, the rest he adds. But our chief intention is to find out a stricter meaning of the words; and among such as give that, none seem better to do it than our translation, which seems to make (as we have already intimated) this sense, in which some of the Jews also concur, viz. (to give it in Abarbinel's words) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

Though they shall make conditions with the Kings of the Nations, and give to them gifts, [viz. for making them their friends, and hiring their love,] yet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 all this shall not d 1.8 profit them, nor secure them from Gods hand and punishment.

For, as in the next words he saith, he will ga∣ther them.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Attah akabbetsem, now will I gather them; about which words is likewise no small difference betwixt Expositors. For our better discerning and judging of which, it will be convenient in the first place to take no∣tice of the signification of the Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akabbets, rendred, I will gather. The Root signifies in general, to gather, but according to the end for which those that are gathered are so gathered, it may be so used as to de∣note either e 1.9 good or f 1.10 bad thereby intended to them, being indifferently appliable to either kind, and is therefore here by some taken in the one way, by others in the other.

The Particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Attah, now, put be∣fore it, will signifie the speedy performance of what is said shall be done, or the certainty of it g 1.11 in its due time, what is by God deter∣mined to be done, being with him and in his determination as present. But the Verb hath a Suffix joyned to it, viz. the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 m, which is the Pronoun of the third person plu∣ral singifying, them, the applying of which to the persons that it is referred to, is the occasion of such difference as we find among Expositors; while some will have it referred to Israel who went unto the Nations, others to the Nations, h 1.12 whether Assyrians, Egypti∣ans, or others to whom they went, the con∣struction admitting both. First therefore some by, them, understand the Nations by the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Goyim, immediately prece∣ding, meant; among whom, according to our Translation, and those many others with which it agrees, it is said, they hired lovers, or loves; so that the meaning may be, That when they shall think themselves secured by their leagues made with them, they shall find themselves much deceived in their policy, for now, i. e. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ere long, or speedily, will I gather, even those very Nations against them, not for their help, as they thought they had procured them to be, but for their de∣struction, as if for that end they had been hired, and to execute Gods upon them, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to carry them captives: so among the Jews Kimchi and Abarbinel, and among i 1.13 Christians, several. And this may be illu∣strated by what is said Ezek. 16.37. when God threatens Jerusalem, that he will gather all her lovers, and all them that she had loved, &c. round against her, &c.

But this exposition seemes something to trouble and interrupt the construction and the connexion of these words with the preceding and following, by change of the Persons to whom the Pronouns are referred, by re∣ferring (they) to Israel; secondly here, them, to the Assyrians, or such other nations as they dealt withall; and then thirdly, they, a∣gain to Israel; whereas they would run with an k 1.14 evener tenor, if they were all referred to the same persons. And so therefore do l 1.15 others refer them all to the Israelites, they hire &c. and I will gather them, and they shall sorrow &c. What is meant then in this way,

by his saying, Now will I gather them. Whence? whither? for what end? Accor∣ding to the Chaldee Paraphrast the answer would be, From the places in which they were dispersed to their own land, there to do good unto them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 From among the nations I will bring near (or back) their captivity, but he puts not this as an absolute promise, but on condi∣tion that they would have his fear in their hearts, as we have before seen his way of in∣terpretation. But R. Salomo takes it as an absolute promise for good to them, expoun∣ding the words to this purpose, Although they have done this, that they have hired loves among the nations, now will I gather them, viz. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 When the time of their redemption is come I will not regard it.

If this were the sense of these words, I should think R. Tanchum's exposition of the former better to agree with them, viz. al∣though they be dispersed abroad among the nations, discoursing of their former condition, and condoling that which they are fallen to, yet now will I again gather them and restore them. That seems more to agree with this latter clause inferred from that former, than, although they have hired, &c. But I think nei∣ther of them well to agree to the scope of the words here, which seems manifestly to require that they be understood, not as a promise of good, but a m 1.16 threat of evil to them.

Calvin doth also set down a way, in which they may be understood of good; as that though they by running about among the na∣tions to get their love, and find from them help and assistance, did disperse themselves, and expose themselves to danger and destru∣ction, yet he would gather them, i. e. with∣hold or detain them for a while from that total destruction which they would pull on them∣selves; and that for that end which in the fol∣lowing words is shewed. But he mentions an∣other way of exposition also, in which the words are a threat of evil to them; as name∣ly, that though they had gone abroad and hired forces and succours, yet he would ga∣ther them together as into an heap for a general destruction to them, which he saith will well agree with the words: and to some∣thing to that purpose are they for the most part expounded, by those who by them do understand Ephraim, or Israel. I will gather them in Egypt, saith Aben Ezra, but gives nothing more for explaining of his meaning. I suppose he hath respect to what is said v. 13. They shall return into Egypt, and c. 9.6. Egypt shall gather thom, Memphis shall bury them. I will gather them, ut simul vincti abducantur, that they being bound may be led away together cap∣tives, saith Mercer. So that this gathering of them under the hand of n 1.17 one conquerour, is but o 1.18 for farther dispersion, p 1.19 ut vinctos simui abducam, & postca inter gentes dispergam, that I may lead them away bound together, and after disperse them among the nations. q 1.20 Others to the same purpose; I will gather them together into Samaria, and their other cities, where they shall think to stand on their defence, that so they may be there taken all together, and led captives by their enemies. I will gather them, saith another late r 1.21 learned man, in sepulchrum, into the grave, viz. interimam eos, I will slay or destroy them. These all of this last way look, as we said, on the words as a commination of evil to Israel.

We shall better yet judge of these ways, when we shall have seen and considered the following words, what is the meaning of them, and so how they will stand in connexion with these. They are, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Veachellu meat mimmassa melec sarim. which ours render, And they shall sorrow a lit∣tle for the burden of the King of Princes, but in the margin, instead of, shall sorrow, put, begin; which shews, that they looked on that word as having some difficulty in it, by reason of different significations that it is capable of, and were in doubt which to take. And that indeed occasions great variety of expositions among Interpreters, some referring the word to one root, some to another of different notions; and then differently applying in particular the following words, burden, King, Princes, though agreeing in the general signification of them.

As first we have that which is by many followed, and by ours put in the text, they shall sorrow, &c. In this way it is taken to be as from the root 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chul, which signifies among other things, to grieve, to sorrow, and to fear, &c. And the Verb being so taken, and the following words joyned with it, the ex∣position is given by s 1.22 some, (taking it for granted that the Israelites complained and were grieved for the t 1.23 taxes or tribute which they were burthened with by their King and Princes, (as v 1.24 some will have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Melec Sarim, King Princes, to be understood as if it were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Vesarim, King and Prin∣ces, by understanding the Copulative 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ve) which were imposed on them that they might buy peace from the King of Princes, as others will have the words to sound, viz. the King of Assyria, who had many Kings and Princes

under him) that when God should gather them, (or the nations against them, as some) they should sorrow a little, i. e. but a little for the burden at present imposed on them by their King and Princes, or the King of Prin∣ces, viz. it should then seem but a light mat∣ter to them, though they now looked on it as a grievous burden, in respect to what they should for the future suffer from the people amongst whom they should be hereafter cap∣tives, scorned, derived, afflicted, and oppres∣sed by them; those greater evils should make them look on this burden as small and light. Abarbinel's words are plain to this purpose.

I will now gather the nations against them to carry them captives; and whereas they are now much grieved for the burden of the King and Princes, which was imposed on them, behold then they shall sorrow and be grieved but a little for this, because their captivity shall be then heavy upon them, so far as that the burden of the King and Prin∣ces, which they sustained while they were in their own land, shall be in their eyes a small and little matter in respect to the affliction of their captivity; for so is the nature of the world, that while a man is at quiet, any little tribute which he pays seems heavy to him, but when affliction and distress comes upon him, then will that tribute, which he was before subject to, seem in his eyes but a light matter.

The word being taken in that signification, it may also according to Calvin be expoun∣ded, They shall sorrow a little for the burden of the King and Princes, i. e. they being ga∣thered, or yet restrained, shall become w 1.25 tri∣butaries before they be carried away captives. This, saith he, is meant by that sorrowing a lit∣tle, and, according to his explication, this was in mercy, that by this punishment and lighter cause of sorrow he might bring them to a sense of their sins, and to turn to him by repentance for preventing their greater calamities and utter destruction, if they would have made that use of it. Castalio ta∣king also this signification of the Verb, yet by a differing construction of the following words with, it gives this rendring of the whole clause, Ego per gentes jam ita eos cogam, ut parum doleant prae Regis fato Proceres, I will so gather them by (or among) the nations, that the Princes (or Nobles) shall grieve but a little in respect to what shall befall the King, i. e. as he explains his own words, will punish them so as that the King shall undergo much grea∣ter punishment than the Nobles. But if the words be so placed in construction, why might they not be rendred, x 1.26 and the Princes shall grieve a little for (or by reason of) the burden (or imposition) of the King. R. Salomo some∣thing differently from any of these, they shall be humbled a little in their captivity, through the fear of the burden of the King and Princes; viz. the yoke of the Kings of the Nations.

In the second place, others take the Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yachellu in the signification of resting, or ceasing. So the Vulgar Latin, Quiescent paulisper ab onere Regis & Principum, which in the Doway English is, and they shall rest a while from the burden of the King and the Prin∣ces. The Syriac also in the same manner, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The LXX also as to the signification of the Verb, though in the other words differing, while they render, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which reading is confirmed by the printed Arabic, which hath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They shall rest a little to anoint, y 1.27 or that they may anoint, or, as others, from anoint∣ing, a King and Princes. Otherwise z 1.28 some conjecture they wrote, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they shall cease, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they shall labour, And as for the following words it is an easie conje∣jecture to think, that for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mimmassa, from the burden, they read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mimsho∣ach, from anointing. Yet perhaps they did not read so, but only put in mind by the neerness of the words in writing, they chose so to ex∣press what they thought meant by that bur∣den; viz. the trouble that they were at in those tumultuous times, (as appears in the hi∣story) by the often change of Kings, in put∣ting down one and setting up another, who tyrannically ruled, and imposed on them hea∣vy taxes and burdens; which seems to fall in with the expression of the Chaldee Paraphrast, which is, If they would but be wise a 1.29 a little, I would take away from them the tyranny of Kings and Princes.

b 1.30 Some think that those who take the Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yachellu in this signification, look upon it as derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yichel, which is, ex∣pectare, quiescere, to stay, and to rest, and that they do therein better than they who derive it from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chul. But there is no necessity of saying so; for besides that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yachellu, with the letter doubled by the point Dagesh, may more probably be deduced from the root 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chul, in the Future of the Conju∣gation Hiphil, than it can from any thing which is from the root 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yachal, (and is

by c 1.31 some referred to it, with some reasons given for the little irregularity of it by rea∣son of that d 1.32 point, which regularly should shew it to be from a root in which the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is doubled, viz. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chalal,) it is mani∣fest, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hechil, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hechel in Hi∣phil, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chul, from which this must, according to those that refer it to that root, be, and the root it self in Kal, or the first Conjugation, doth signifie, to stay, and to rest, as well as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yachal doth: as for exam∣ple, Gen. 8.10. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And he stayed (or rested) yet other seven days, which e 1.33 Kimchi refers to this root; and in this Pro∣phecy, c. 11.6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, And the sword shall abide, or rest upon.

To the same sense with these doth R. Tan∣chum also expound it, and that so as to take away that little scruple which is made by reason of that point which we speak of, reading 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yachellu, with a double l, and referring it to the Theme 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chalal, from which most regularly it seems to be, and ta∣king that in the signification of easing, loosing, or having rest, near unto that notion which it hath, Num. 30.2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, He shall not loosen or slack his word, which ours render, he shall not break his word, that so it may signi∣fie the same as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Halla doth in Arabic, which doth signifie, solvere, to loosen, untie, or slack, (and, which would well fit our purpose here, to remain, and, to rest;) so that he ex∣pounds the words here, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They shall loosen and make light (or easie) that which is now upon them of the weight of the im∣position of the King and Princes, which now they do exact from them, or, which is now exacted from them. The scope of his words seems plain∣ly the same with that which we were speak∣ing of, Quiescent paulisper ab onere regis & principum, they shall rest a little while from the burden of the King and Princes.

Of the words so rendred Grotius gives the meaning thus:

They complained greatly of those burdens which the Kings of Israel and their officers imposed on them, and there∣fore slew those Kings and their officers; but I will bring it to pass, that they shall no more pay any thing to those Kings or offi∣cers; to wit, when they shall live in a servile condition in the Assyrians countreys: and what he saith, they shall rest a little, is spoken by way of derision; for that condition which is here foretold, should long continue.

Je∣rom's exposition is,

Because they love to give presents to their enemies, therefore for a little while they shall obtain this benefit, that they shall not pay taxes to the King and Princes till they come among the Assyrians, where they shall no more pay tribute and taxes as free-men, but shall be brought in∣to the extremest servitude. Lyra: They shall rest a little from the burden of the King of the Assyrians, in whose Kingdom they shall be oppressed with hard servitude:

f 1.34 as if he should say, The rest which they now enjoy, in that they do not yet serve the King of Assyria, shall last but a little while, for the time of their captivity is at hand. Another: g 1.35

They shall rest indeed a little by the benefit of the bur∣den or tribute which the Kings Manahem and Osee by the counsel of the Princes impo∣sed on the Israelites, to redeem them from the molestation of the Assyrians, but this rest shall not endure long; for shortly they shall with new wars be assailed, overwhelmed, and cut off by them.

h 1.36 Others,

They shall rest a little, they shall be lead into captivity, where they shall now no more have their natural Kings and Princes, to whom they may pay their tribute as they were wont to do, but yet they shall have imperious Lords, by whom they shall be more grievously burden∣ed.

I shall not stand to confer these expo∣sitions between themselves, because I know not how far either of them is to be followed.

In the third place the Verb viz. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ya∣chellu, is taken by many in that signification which ours have in the Margin, that is of, beginning, that so it may be from the root 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chalal, to which alone Aben Ezra saith it can regularly be referred, from which 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hechel, the Future of which this is, is, to begin and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Techillah, a beginning; so that the words will then literally sound, and they shall begin, (or, have began, as the Future form may be indifferently rendred, especially with the Particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ve, conversive as well as copulative prefixed) from, or for, or because of, the burden of the King of Princes, or King and Princes. But this is but an imperfect speech, and therefore necessarily requires some other Verb to be supplied or understood, by which may be declared what they shall be∣gin, or have began, to do, and so is by Ex∣positors, i 1.37 using their liberty, accordingly un∣derstood and supplied. Some understand, to com∣plain, and to murmur. So Aben Ezra, Then shall they begin to murmur and complain for the burden of the Kings of Egypt and Assyria, and their princes

And so Kimchi; Now shortly will I gather a∣gainst them the nations to carry them captives, but that in the beginning (or first place) they shall murmur and complain for the burden of the King and Princes, viz. of the nations, who should im∣pose upon them the mulct of tribute. Others to the same purpose, k 1.38 premi, to be oppressed; they shall begin a little, ab onere regis & principum pre∣mi, to be pressed by the burden of the King and princes. Munster agreeing to the literal con∣struction, yet turns the meaning thus;

Both the King and Princes shall begin a little to burden them, viz. before their captivity, with exactions and taxes.

l 1.39 Others, liberi esse, to be free from the burden of the Kings of Assyria and his Princes: for they shall cease a while from paying his tribute, trusting in help from the King of Egypt. These render as in the Future tense, others taking it in the Pretertense make also like supplies, and they have, or, yea already they have begun, i. e. other nations whom I will gather against them, m 1.40 infesti esse, to be troublesome to them, by the tribute which they shall exact of them; understanding that which Shalmaneser imposed on Hoshea, 2 Kin. 17.3. n 1.41 or, to be gathered together to re∣quire the hire promised to them for their help, so making the Nominative case governing the Verb to be the enemies. But others gene∣rally make the Israelites spoken of to be the Nominative case, and the persons which are said to have began, and supply, o 1.42 some, mertede conducere, to hire such as should help them against the Assyrians, as King Hoshea did the Egyptians, 2 Kin. 17.4. Others, p 1.43 li∣beri esse, or, quiescere, yea they have began to be free, or to rest, from the burden &c. q 1.44 o∣thers, queri, or gravari, and they have already begun to complain or be grieved by reason of &c. or, r 1.45 the Princos have a little begun to assemble themselves, and to complain of the burden of the King, i. e. the King of Assyria. These seem to have taken the ground of their supplies from those others significations which are by others given to the Verb, of sorrowing, grie∣ving, resting, &c. which we have seen, and accordingly will the meaning be made out, as it is by them. Others taking another way will have the signification of the preceding word, I will gather them, to be repeated; yea they have already began to be gathered, i. e. as Tremellius, coerceri, to be restrained, namely, by the burden of the taxes, by their King and Princes laid upon them for the paying of tri∣bute to strangers; though this be but a little in respect of greater burdens or evils that shall follow: or, as Ludovicus de Dieu, to much the same purpose, and they have began a little, nem∣pe colligi in sepulchrum, sive interimi, to be ga∣thered into the grave, or, to be destroyed, ab one∣re regis principum, quo nempe pressit eos rex As∣syriorum, from (or, by reason of) the burden of the King of of Princes, to wit that with which the King of Assyria hath oppressed them. This last supply seems to come nearer the matter and the words than the other; yet is there another way, looking so on this Verb as de∣noting, coeperunt, which makes no need of any supply at all, and gives a good meaning, which is by taking the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Meat, which all the rest look on as an Adverb, sig∣nifying, a little, or, for a little while or time, not so, but as an Infinitive mood, from the Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Maat. which signifies, to be little, to be made little, or lessened, to be diminished, in the Form of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Melac, Gen. 36.31. that so the words may sound, yea they have began to be lessened, or diminished, or destroyed, by reason of &c. This in the sense falls much in with the last foregoing, viz. that of L. de Dieu, and will be confirmed by the MS. Arabick trans∣lation of the words, which hath (as in the copy which I have use of, it is written in He∣brew characters) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which in Arabick would be, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and literally sound, And (or, yea) they have began, they have been (or, began to be) lessened (or, di∣minished) from (or, by reason of) the burden of the King of Princes.

Thus have I set down at large what expo∣sitions I find given of these words, and what at present I can think, yet could wish to find something clearer than what I have yet found. It seems to me a place of no small difficulty.

Notes

• w 1.1

  Lively.
• x 1.2

  Tig. Jun. Trem.
• y 1.3

  Pag. Interlin. Rivet.
• z 1.4

  Chr. à Castro, whose Paraphrase, taking in the former v. is,

  They are gone to the Assyrians to seek help, that they might be free as a a wild ass wan∣dring in the wilderness to seek pasture, and have by Presents sought their friendship; but I will cause those very nations, whom they shall oblige by their presents, to come, as if they were hired with a reward, and to gather themselves against them.
• a 1.5

  And so some ancient Rabbins, as Kimchi notes, in Radic.
• b 1.6

  Drus. Cap.
• c 1.7

  Glass. Gram. num. marg. 301. and so on the preceding v.
• d 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 What shall it profit tham that they have hired &c. for now &c. Kimc. and Pagn. inserts in his translation, Non proderit.
• e 1.9

  So Is. 54.7. Jer. 31.10. and elsewhere.
• f 1.10

  Hos. 9.6.
• g 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 when the time for it shall come. R. Sal.
• h 1.12

  As first the As∣ssyrians, then the Egyptians against them. Rivet from Jun.
• i 1.13

  Trem. Vat. see Chr. à Castro. Petr. à Fig. Grot. Jun.
• k 1.14

  Mercer.
• l 1.15

  R. Sal. Ab. Ezra.
• m 1.16

  Rivet. Tarnov.
• n 1.17

  Trem.
• o 1.18

  Drus. Riv.
• p 1.19

  Tarnov.
• q 1.20

  Chr. à Castro. Menoch.
• r 1.21

  Lud. de Dieu. So Tirinus also: as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 also in the Arabic, signifies, to lay hold on, and in the Passive voice, to die, i. e. to be laid hold on by death.
• s 1.22

  Abarb. Zanch. Riv.
• t 1.23

  2 Kin. 15.20. and 17.3.
• v 1.24

  R. Tanch. Kimchi.
• w 1.25

  Dolebunt paulisper propter onera quae reges Israelis eorumque praefecti illis imponent, ut pecuniam regi Assyriorum promissam appendant. Brenn.
• x 1.26

  See Tarnov.
• y 1.27

  So the Latin translat▪ ut ungant, but Mercer, ab ungendo.
• z 1.28

  Petr. à Fig.
• a 1.29

  Or perhaps, within a little while, I would take away, &c.
• b 1.30

  Grot.
• c 1.31

  Kimchi rad. and see Buxt. Thes. Gram. l. 1 c. 40.
• d 1.32

  Which yet is observed to be absent in many Editions. Buxt. there, and Drus. as it is in a MS. which I consulted.
• e 1.33

  Rad. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• f 1.34

  Petr. à Fig.
• g 1.35

  Tirin.
• h 1.36

  See in Chr. à Castro.
• i 1.37

  Liberum erit unicuique aliud verbum supplere, dummodo significatio conveniat; satis enim con∣stat imperfectam esse orationem ex ipsa constructione. Trem.
• k 1.38

  Trem. in the text.
• l 1.39

  See in Chr. à Castro.
• m 1.40

  Pisc.
• n 1.41

  Brenn.
• o 1.42

  Jun. Trem.
• p 1.43

  Tig. in marg. Vat. in ••••. and see Rivet.
• q 1.44

  Mercer.
• r 1.45

  Tarnov.